BCMS Counselors Corner
The latest news from your BCMS counselors!
BCMS PAW Pride News
2nd Marking Period Nov.3rd-Jan.22nd.
December Events
12/1-12/18: Holiday Toy Drive (Please drop-off new toys in the main office)
12/7-12/11: Book Fair (during school hours)
12/8: Rock the Day Begins (after-school)
12/8: PTSA Meeting in the Media Center 6:30pm-8:30pm
12/9: Student Interim Grades Mailed Home
Winter Musical Concert I @7pm in the Cafeteria
12/16: Winter Musical Concert II @7pm in the Cafeteria
12/24- 1/1- Winter break-No School for students and staff
MCPS Career Readiness Night
This information is available in multiple languages. Click here.
Monday, Dec 14, 2015, 07:00 PM
Gaithersburg High School, Education Boulevard, Gaithersburg, MD, United States
Safe School Ambassadors Student Training
SSA Student Training 12/10 & 12/11
SSA Actions
SSA Student Training 12/10 & 12/11
Safe School Ambassadors program is an "inside-out" approach to improving school climate, one that relies on social norms change and the power of students to help stop bullying and violence. Student bystanders see, hear, and know things adults don't, can intervene in ways adults can't and are often on the scene of an incident before an adult. They are a critical and under-utilized resource for positively impacting the crisis of bullying in our schools.
The Safe School Ambassadors program engages and mobilizes these bystanders.
**MCPS communications were present on Friday, Dec. 4th to document this training and the effort of students and staff going forward. Taped interviews and live photos and video were taken and will be compiled into a video piece on MCPS website. We will make all aware when this is available!
We would like to send our appreciation to Dr. Camps Pediatrics Dental Center for sponsoring this wonderful program and their commitment to empowering students in school.
Civility Initiatives at BCMS!
18 students in all 3 grades completed 4 weeks of small group lessons on topics such as:
-Distorted Images
-Stereotypes
-Who we really are/Getting to know one another
-Respect
Students completed a 4 question survey at the beginning of the sessions and then again at the end. The results indicated there was an average of a 12% increase in the general knowledge of what civility is, how knowing others more closely can change distorted images and stereotypes thus changing attitudes towards one another, and how this can affect the overall school climate!
Our next Civility Session begins in January after winter break.
Let's Make Civility the Next Big Thing!
How do we promote civility within our communities?
Here are two links that provide more information on how to practice civility in all areas of life and how to practice mindfulness while using social media. #itscool2bekind
CAREER DAY 2016
Career Day will take place on Thursday, April 14th. If you are a parent/guardian and member of the BCMS community and would like to present and talk with students about your career, we would greatly appreciate it! As we prepare our students to be college and career ready, exposure and awareness to an array of career paths would greatly benefit our BCMS scholars.
If you are interested in receiving more information on being a career day speaker please contact Ms, Beth Beru at Bethlehem_Beru@mcpsmd.net
ATTENTION 8TH GRADE PARENTS: NEXT STOP IS HIGH SCHOOL!
High School Assignment Letters will be mailed home January 2016.
Have You Recently Moved?
Please click here for the MCPS website that provides proofs of residency.
Counseling Office 301-989-6010
Click the link below to search through current opportunities approved by MCPS
http://www.montgomeryserves.org/volunteers/student-service-learning-ssl
Counselor's Notes: Hard copies of the SSL packets are available in the counseling office. For questions, please refer to our school's SSL coordinator Ms. Wanda Johnson
Counselor College Note: If your student documents 260 or more hours of community service they will be honored for their exceptional service with the Certificate of Meritorious Service from MSDE and MCPS and a purple tassel to wear at the time of graduation exercises. (These hours must be documented by the first Friday of April of senior year)
SSL FORM DUE DATES!
- the last Friday in September for service performed during the summer;
- the First Friday in January for service performed during the first semester(1st and 2nd marking periods);
- the First Friday in June for service performed during the second semester (3rd and 4th marking periods)
Completed SSL forms are to be dropped off in the counseling office. Additional information and booklets are also available for pick up.
Join the BCMS SSL Group!
All students are encouraged to sign up for the SSL club! This club meets on Thursday's from 3:00-4:30pm beginning October 8th. Mrs. Showman has arranged for students to complete SSL projects here at BCMS. Students can sign up for the Fall semester, Spring semester or both!
Applications are available in the counseling office for pick up before and after school and during each grade level lunch period. Completed forms should be dropped off in the counseling office.
For any questions please contact Mrs. Showman
ACADEMIC & PERSONAL/SOCIAL SUPPORT
Be sure to sign up to receive appropriate reminders (8th grade parents and students should be the only group signing up to receive both reminders)
Mental Health Support & Suicide Prevention Resources
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), for youth between the ages of 10 and 24, suicide is the third leading cause of death.
MCPS through partnership with the Montgomery County Mental Health Association provides a comprehensive list for our community to access mental health supports, data and local resources for our students and families. Please follow the link below.
American Society for the Positive Care of Children provides current data on teen suicide, risk factors and signs to look out for. Please follow the link below.
Please remain vigilant. If you are concerned for a student's safety and need immediate assistance please call the Montgomery County Crisis Center. They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
240.777.4000
After-School Hours Academic Support
If students would like to work with a teacher during their lunch period they must pick up a lunch lab pass from that teacher before school on the day they would like to meet. This is important so they can ensure the teacher is available and aware of the student's arrival.
Also for after-school support students must make arrangements with their teacher to confirm they are available after school and notify a parent that they are staying.
*After-school buses are available Tuesdays-Thursdays unless otherwise noted. Please check our school website to confirm.*
Test Taking Strategies
Available in English and Espanol
For ALL BCMS Students & Parent(s)/ Guardian(s)
REMIND! Sign-Up Today and stay up to date with your Counseling Office!
GBTSS Fall 2015 Flyer- English Version
GBTSS Fall 2015 Flyer- Spanish Version
Aristotle Circle Peer Tutors
SUMMER 2016 STUDENT PROGRAMS
7th Grade: Mr. Petrasek
8th Grade: Ms. Beru
School-Wide Counselor (6th, 7th & 8th): Mrs. Showman
Counseling Secretary: Mrs. West
Counseling Office Direct Line: 301.989.6010
Briggs Chaney Middle School
Silver Spring, MD 20905
Main Office: 301.989.6000
This newsletter is brought to you by the Briggs Chaney Middle School Counseling Department